Byredo’s Holiday 2025 Makeup Collection Takes Inspiration From the Nordic Sea

Of course, the holiday season brings no shortage of glossy new releases. But what sets “Polar Harmony” apart—beyond its Nordic narrative and continuation of Byredo’s emphasis on emotion-driven artistry—is its formulation philosophy. Rather than existing as products for mere consumption, these pieces act as tactile extensions of storytelling: wearable reflections of light, texture, and feeling, reimagining the quiet beauty of winter.

Take the Ocean Haze Eyeshadow Palette, which balances warm and cool tones to capture both the icy freshness of winter and the comforting warmth of nostalgia. The five shades—four of which shimmer with luminous, pearlescent finishes—feature a buttery, almost creamy texture that blends seamlessly. Whether you prefer a soft wash of color or a more intricate eye look, the formula’s ease of use makes it approachable even for makeup novices. Each shade is housed in a sleek, raindrop-shaped metal compact reminiscent of the sea’s fluid movement.

Then there are the Satin Lipsticks, available in Sand Dance, a mauvy pink, and Red Sunset, a warm brownish-red. Their texture glides on with the plush slip of a lip oil yet delivers the intense, juicy pigment of a classic lipstick. Lightly fragranced with a fresh floral note, the formula leaves lips feeling soft and hydrated for hours, with a radiant finish that never feels heavy or dry. The collection also includes the Liquid Lipstick Vinyl, a gloss-like, non-sticky formula offering a clear, high-shine finish infused with subtle blue sparkles. It’s an icy touch that ties the collection’s winter theme together.

To celebrate the launch, Lucia Pica speaks with L’OFFICIEL about the Nordic Sea inspiration behind her work and her vision for Byredo.

L’OFFICIEL USA may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if products are purchased through our links. These items were gifted. Neither decides our editorial decisions.

L’OFFICIEL: Byredo’s Holiday Collection this year draws inspiration from the Nordic Sea. What initially drew you to this concept, and how does it reflect the mood or story you wanted to tell?

LUCIA PICA: For me, makeup is a medium to express internal worlds. And the North Sea, in all its stillness and power, mirrored something emotional I wanted to explore. It’s vast and mysterious. In the Polar Harmony collection, I translated that into a balance of cool tones and warm light, like the golden reflection of a winter sun warmly breaking through and shining on the dark frozen water. Shades like Marine Dream and Blue Haze carry a chill, but they sit alongside Golden Rêverie and Coral Mirage, which evoke moments of warmth. It’s that contrast between the dark sea and the release of light that creates silence, intimacy, and joy.

L’O: How did the idea of the Nordic Sea translate into the collection itself? Were there specific colors, textures, finishes, or even packaging you prioritized to capture that inspiration?

LP: The Nordic Sea inspired the duality in the collection—the contrast between softness and structure, as well as stillness and intensity. It’s really about creating structure and graphicness with the deep, cool tones, and roundness and softness with the warm ones. I’m always inspired by how nature holds contrast and cohesion: the tension between form and fluidity, the way light plays against depth. That balance became the emotional landscape for the collection.

L’O: As Byredo Beauty’s creative image and makeup partner, what excites you the most about creating these products? Are there any pieces in the collection that are personal favorites—either for your own use or in professional settings?

LP: It’s the emotion. The ability to shift how someone feels through texture, light, and color. I’m drawn to that quiet transformation: when a product doesn’t just change how you look, but changes something in your mood. Sea Whisper is delicate, translucent, unexpected—it softens everything without being obvious. Red Sunset is bold, but not loud; it gives presence without effort. That’s what excites me—creating products that become part of someone’s emotional rhythm. Not just what they wear, but how they feel.

L’O: Your years as a professional makeup artist clearly inform your work. How do you draw on that experience when developing collections like Byredo’s Holiday range? Are there particular concerns you focus on, such as skin types, undertones, or the spectrum from natural to dramatic looks?

LP: It influences everything. Years of working on so many faces, under so many different types of light, have given me a very tactile understanding of how makeup needs to perform. I think about how color and texture sit on the skin and how they perform after hours of wear, how products can shift your mood. Years of creating collections and working closely with colors and textures have made me deeply connected to their personalities and how they perform. To me, creating a story with color and texture is a language that I use.

L’O: When creating these products, did you envision them more for professional makeup artists like yourself, or for everyday users? 

LP: Always both. I never see a distinction between a makeup artist and someone exploring color at home, because in the end, it’s about both emotion, instinct, and expertise. The textures are versatile, blendable, buildable—they allow you to experiment without fear. There are no rules. It’s about what draws you in, what makes you feel something.

L’O: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in beauty. How do these factors play into your creative process at Byredo?

LP: I always consider how an object will live with the person who uses it. Not just how it looks, but how it’s held, refilled, and kept. The refillable lipstick case is a perfect example. It’s not just practical; it’s something you want to treasure. A beautiful object that becomes personal, like a modern talisman you carry with you. That same thinking shaped the Bibliophilia palette. It’s not only about color—it’s about longevity. A rich, articulate color story designed to stay with you, to evolve with you. Something you can return to again and again.

L’O: Looking ahead, how do you see Byredo Beauty evolving in the next few years? 

LP: Always with purpose. We’ll keep exploring—not to chase novelty, but to deepen the emotional experience of beauty. There’s a new project around the eyes coming early next year, something very close to me. I think that’s where our beauty story continues to grow. With meaning.

L’O: Finally, if you could describe the essence of this Holiday Collection in just three words, what would they be—and why?

LP: Contrast. Comfort. Emotion. Because that’s what winter evokes for me — this beautiful tension between light and shadow, cold and warmth. It’s a season that makes you turn inward, reflect, and ignite something new within. The collection mirrors that.